Life after the Step 1


I come to you with an update about that 8-hour marathon that they call the USMLE Step 1. I considered going into detail about how that all went but the only truly important thing is that 
I PASSED!!

 This is us pretty excited after the exam.
We treated ourselves with a bottle of bubbly and a big greasy meal down at the hotel bar.
So these days, Craig is in Cape Breton with me and we are writing our RLRA - more commonly referred to as "that paper I have to do."

 Although we are working throughout the day, we have been enjoying some of our free time by going to Eagles games, the YMCA, the movie theatre, C200 for skating, the Old Triangle, Don Cherry's, and other establishments. You know, normal people stuff. And we went to see A Christmas Carol (the musical adaptation by my former fellow dancer, Wesley Colford) last night!


 Update on the timbit story:
If you didn't see it or don't remember it from Facebook, here it is again:

 "Craig and I were studying on StFX campus when a woman comes into our study room and tells us a story. She lost her wallet 2 weeks ago and just had it returned to her so she wanted to pay forward some kindness. We turned out to be the recipients of that and now we have free coffee and timbits!!"

So for those of you who are interested in how I decided to pay it forward, here it is:
1- Gathered together all my old clothes to give away to appreciative young families. It is always nice to hear (secondhand) when my clothes get another life.
2- Brought my old prom dresses to Sister Shirley. I hope she will find a young girl (or girls) who will love them as I did.
3- Gave blood. (And received my 10-time donor pin!) Do it.
4- Bought a "food bank basket" that Sobey's had put together.
5- Wrote a letter of appreciation to the police department and Officer who helped us during our auto collision in Maine. (This one is still in progress)


Some fall pictures


Out to watch StFX rowing on this beautiful day

Carving pumpkins 

Donair waffles with Michelle... can't beat it.

We managed to have a little bit of fun in Bangor, Maine despite the series of unfortunate events that followed us. A foot of snow landed on our travel day down there so all the local businesses (including gas stations) lost power and the roads were littered with trees, power lines, and car accidents - including mine. 

You may wondering what there is to do in Bangor... and the answer to that is see the Paul Bunyan statue! And that's about it.



Oh, they have a boardwalk too.

Back in Sydney...
Trio with Laura

Blurry picture from meeting up with Stephy before she left for Montreal

My dinky little rental. Aint she cute?

I also got my hair done by another fellow dancer Natalie Lewis! Needed a little blonde back in my life... might as well change it up!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

U.S. Residency Application Advice

I've received some really great advice from colleagues, residents, faculty, and online sources over the last year about the U.S. residency application process and the couples match. I attempt to compile the most helpful tips here and add my own insight (as a Canadian IMG from Saba entering my first choice family medicine residency) as a means to "pay it forward."  Choose electives wisely:  You can really focus on networking and finding a residency during fourth year. My strategy was to  do rotations at hospitals that had a family medicine residency program  even if my rotation wasn’t in that specialty. While I was there, I would ask for a meeting with the program director or try to get in on some of the family medicine lectures. I ended up interviewing at 3 places I rotated at plus I received interviews in all 6 states that I did rotations in. For example, I did 6 months of rotations in Louisiana and then received 4 interviews in that state. I was told by a program
Read more

Graduation

Image
Graduation marks the official end to my four years spent in medical school. It has been an unbelievable journey. I achieved a goal that I set my sights to at 3 years old. When people ask me if I am surprised that this day finally came, I say no. This is because I have always visualized myself as a physician, and in a way, this is simply one step among many others along this lifelong path. A million thanks to my family (significant others and in laws included) who have been a steady and positive presence. Looking forward to our visits together often helped me get through long stretches of continuous work. My family network has grown so much! The amazing women who have been with me (mostly long distance) over these recent years have not once complained about my hectic schedule and have been there to remind me of my strengths and also to remind me of who I am outside of medicine.  I have made peace with the idea that there are people from my past who will not be part of my fu
Read more

Vacay north of the border

Image
Vacation time in Canada with some amazing family and friends What more could we ask for? Martha & Tanner's wedding @ Crystal Cliffs beach Craig's MC skills Grand Bend with Steph and Allie The cutest beach town with my besties So many of my favourite people in one place!   Exploring Toronto Shawn and Kristen meet us in the big city! Jays game on Canada Day Silly sissy & sissy-in-law Michelle and Connor arrive! Hooray! 5 of us together... only missing Craig! Game went to 19 innings... We stayed until about the 14th inning stretch Random festival on the Toronto waterfront Beer tasting Shawn and I liked about 33% of them Peterborough with the Marshalls Montreal with Stephy Singing Kelly Clarkson karaoke on a bowling lane Love having friends that you can go so long without seeing and then pick up right where you left off Baden, Ontario with Allie
Read more